Air foil and valve assembly for irrigating

ABSTRACT

The application is generally directed towards a drop nozzle for an agricultural sprayer. The drop nozzle can be used to reduce spray drift as liquids are deposited by the sprayer. The drop nozzle includes a valve assembly including a shutoff valve, a tube operably connected to the valve assembly, and an airfoil connected to the tube. The shutoff valve selectively prevents fluid flow from the valve assembly to the tube and the airfoil directs airflow around one or more portions of the drop nozzle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/838,666 entitled “Drop Nozzle,” filed Mar. 15, 2013, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to agricultural sprayers, andmore specifically to drop nozzles that may reduce spray drift foragricultural sprayers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELEVANT ART

Drop nozzles are typically used to spray plants and crops with anherbicide, fungicide, plate nutrients, or insecticide. Generally,individual nozzles may be mounted on a boom structure attached to anagricultural sprayer vehicle. The nozzles may be spaced apart on theboom such that each nozzle may spray a separate crop row.

Typically, drop nozzles are metal or plastic straight tubes that extend6 to 24 inches and include a spray tip attached to the bottom. Dropnozzles conventionally are used to lower the release point ofagricultural sprays, to direct application of pesticides and fertilizersbetween crop rows and to reduce the contact on top of a crop and directsprays into the crop canopy. Typically, as a sprayer passes across afield, it creates a wake which disturbs the deposition of dropletswithin the spray pattern. Additionally, wind travelling across a fieldmay also cause disturbance of the spray pattern and could lead topesticide drift or reduced deposition.

In some prior designs, the tubes may break off from the boom when theyencounter objects, such as plants, rocks, or hills. Generally, when thetubes break off, they may cause fluid they are distributing (such aspesticide) to be spilled or leaked. Additionally, the spray tipsattached to the drop nozzle tubes may hit the ground and break off orbecome clogged with soil. Both the drop nozzle and spray tips may haveto be frequently replaced as they may be easily damaged or broken off.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may take the form of a dropnozzle for an agricultural sprayer. The drop nozzle may include a valveassembly including a shutoff valve, a tube operably connected to thevalve assembly, and an airfoil connected to the tube. The drop nozzle asdescribed herein may help to reduce spray drift as liquid is applied tocrop rows.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure may take the form of adevice for applying liquids to crops, such as pesticides or fertilizers.The device includes an extension member defining a fluid pathway, avalve assembly connected to the extension member and in fluidcommunication with the fluid pathway, and an airfoil connected to theextension member. The airfoil is configured to direct airflow around oneor more portions of the extension member.

Yet other embodiments of the present disclosure include an agriculturalsprayer. The agricultural sprayer includes a boom or other supportstructure, a reservoir, and a drop nozzle connected to the boom andfluidly connected to the reservoir. The drop nozzle includes a tubedefining a fluid pathway and an airfoil connected to the tube. Duringmovement, the airfoil directs air flow around at least a portion of thedrop nozzle.

Other aspects, features and details of the present disclosure can bemore completely understood by reference to the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with thedrawings and from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an agricultural sprayer includinga drop nozzle.

FIG. 2A is a side perspective view of the drop nozzle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a front elevation view of the drop nozzle.

FIG. 2C is a front perspective view of the drop nozzle.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the drop nozzle illustrating an airfoil.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged rear perspective view of the drop nozzle.

FIG. 3C is an enlarged side elevation view of the drop nozzle.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the drop nozzle taken along line 4-4in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5A is a right side elevation view of a first half of the airfoilremoved from the drop nozzle.

FIG. 5B is a left side elevation view of the first half of the airfoilremoved from the drop nozzle.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevation view of the drop nozzle illustrating avalve assembly.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side perspective view of the drop nozzleillustrating the valve assembly.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the drop nozzle taken along line 8-8in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the drop nozzle taken along line 9-9in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of a valve housing for the valveassembly.

FIG. 10B is a cross-section view of the valve housing taken along line10B-10B in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a top perspective view of a base of the valve assembly.

FIG. 11B is a bottom perspective view of the base of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of an arm of the valve assembly.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-section view of the valve assembly similarto FIG. 9.

FIG. 14A is a top perspective view of the drop nozzle with selectfeatures hidden for clarity to illustrate the hinge assembly.

FIG. 14B is an enlarged rear elevation view of the drop nozzle.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a hub of the valve assembly.

FIG. 16 is a cross-section view of the hub taken along line 16-16 inFIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the drop nozzle with select featureshidden for clarity to illustrate the hinge assembly.

FIG. 18A is a side perspective view of the drop nozzle in a rotatedposition.

FIG. 18B is an enlarged view of the drop nozzle in FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19 is a cross-section view similar to FIG. 9, illustrating thevalve in a closed position.

OVERVIEW

Embodiments of the present disclosure may take the form of a spray driftreducing drop nozzle system for an agricultural sprayer. In someembodiments herein the drop nozzle may be used to reduce spray drift orreduce off-target movement of spray droplets from their intended targetor field. The drop nozzle may include an enhanced aerodynamic shape,which may reduce drift due to wind forces. In some embodiments, the dropnozzle may include an airfoil connected to a bottom portion of adistribution tube. The airfoil may direct air flow around the dropnozzle, as well as act to provide cover for liquid as it flows from anoutlet the nozzle to reduce the liquid from drifting away from theintended or desired spray area. For example, the airfoil may reducespray shear that typically occurs due to forward travel of the sprayer.In particular, the airfoil or wing may create an air wake such that thefluid sheet (deposited by the sprayer tip at the end of the drop nozzle)breakup resulting in droplet formation may occur at a relativelyquiescent environment in the absence of a cross-sheet shear force.

Additionally, the airfoil may help to control the point at which thespray pattern breaks up and disperses, as well as direct airflowdownwards to direct the spray down towards the target area. In otherwords, the airfoil may help liquid distributed from the tube to reachits intended target without substantial drift.

The airfoil may be formed as a separate component attachable to the dropnozzle or formed integrally therewith. The airfoil may have a fin orwing shape where a length of the airfoil may have a larger dimensionthan the thickness or width. The width may be smaller than a width of atube of the drop nozzle. The airfoil may extend from a first portion ofthe tube outwards and downwards at an angle. A shield or cover may formthe bottom surface of the airfoil and the shield may extend from a firstend or tip of the airfoil back towards the tube. The shield may have aramp or air guide extending from an end of the shield. The air guide maybe curved upwards away from the ground towards a top of the drop nozzleand may direct air to flow over the shield reducing wind shear.

The drop nozzle may also include a shutoff valve to prevent leakage orspillage. For example, if the drop nozzle encounters an object (such asa raised portion of land, rock, or portion of a crop) that causes thedrop nozzle to break off of the boom, the shutoff valve may close,restricting or substantially preventing fluid flow if the drop nozzle isdamaged or pulled off of a spray arm of the boom.

The drop nozzle may also include a breakaway hinge. The breakaway hingemay allow the drop nozzle to encounter one or more objects or obstaclesand rather than break off of the boom, may rotate and spring back intoposition. In other words, the breakaway hinge may rotatably connect thedrop nozzle to the boom, allowing the drop nozzle to rotate relative tothe boom. Accordingly, as the drop nozzle is pulled by the sprayervehicle, the drop nozzle may not break off of the boom when encounteringan object, but may rotate upwards and then be pulled back into position.This may allow the nozzle at the end of the drop nozzle tube to bebetter protected and may resist the nozzle from breaking off the tube,as the entire tube may rotate in response to encountering an object.

The breakaway hinge and airfoil may allow the drop nozzle to bepositioned closer to the target area than conventional nozzles. Thisallows for a closer release point for the fluid deposited by the nozzle,improving deposition and reducing drift risk.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the figures, the drop nozzle will be discussed in furtherdetail. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an agricultural sprayer 100. Theagricultural sprayer 100 may include a reservoir 102, a boom 104 ornozzle support arm, as well as a plurality of drop nozzles 106 extendingfrom the boom 104. The agricultural sprayer 100 may be a vehicle, suchas a tractor, that may pull boom 104 and nozzles 106 across one or morefields or crops. The reservoir 102 holds one or more liquids to bedeposited by the drop nozzles 106 onto the crops. For example, thereservoir 102 may hold herbicide, pesticide, fertilizer, water, and/orinsecticide. The liquid may vary based on the types of crops, time ofyear, or desired nutrients or defenses to be applied to the plants.

The boom 104 may be connected to the sprayer 100 and extend along a backend of the sprayer 100. The boom 104 may have a length determined by thenumber of crop rows or crop area to be sprayed at one time. Generally,the boom 104 may have a length sufficient to cover a plurality of croprows. The boom 104 may include a plurality of fluid pathways (not shown)that may fluidly connect each of the drop nozzles 106 to the reservoir102. The fluid pathways may be rigid (e.g., pipes) or may be flexible(e.g. hoses).

The plurality of drop nozzles 106 may extend from the boom 104 and arefluidly connected to the reservoir 102. The drop nozzles 106 may have alength sufficient to be positioned above the ground or crops at thedesired spray distance. For example, in some instances, the drop nozzles106 may be positioned 18 to 24 inches above the crop. However, thedistance above the crop may be varied based on a number of factors, suchas, type of crop, terrain of the fields, speed of the vehicle, and/orwinds or other weather.

An illustrative drop nozzle 106 will now be discussed in more detail.FIGS. 2A-2C are various views of the drop nozzle 106. Referring to FIGS.1 and 2A-2C, the drop nozzle 106 may be connected to the boom 104 suchthat the airfoil may be positioned between the vehicle and the sprayeror nozzle. In other words, the pointed end of the airfoil may form afront side of the drop nozzle. However, it should be appreciated, thatin other embodiments, the drop nozzle may be differently oriented. Thedrop nozzle 106 may have a length based on the desired spray height, aswell as the boom height. For example, typically, the drop nozzle mayhave a length between 6 inches to 24 inches. However, in otherembodiments, the drop nozzle length may be less than 6 inches or greaterthan 24 inches.

With reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, the drop nozzle may include an attachmentcollar 114, a valve assembly 112, a tube 110, an airfoil 108, and asprayer collar 116. The attachment collar 114 connects the drop nozzle106 to the boom 104, e.g., by attaching to one or more hoses, pipes, orthe like, that are fluidly connected to the reservoir 102. Theattachment collar 114 may be configured to be selectively removable,allowing the drop nozzle 106 to be removed from the boom 104. Theattachment collar 114 configuration may be varied depending on the boomand the desired connection between the nozzle 106 and the boom 104.

The valve assembly 112 will be discussed in more detail below, butgenerally includes a breakaway hinge and shutoff valve to accommodateinstances where the nozzle 106 encounters an object.

The tube 110 extends from the valve assembly 112 and defines a fluidchannel 118 (see FIG. 4) therein. The tube 110 provides fluid asreceived from the reservoir 102 to one or more spray tips or nozzlesconnected to the sprayer collar 116. The tube 110 may be generallycylindrical and may be constructed out of a rigid and/or flexiblematerial. In some embodiments, the tube 110 may be plastic, metal, oneor more metal alloys, or other substantially rigid materials. In otherembodiments, the tube 110 may be a generally flexible length of tubing,such as a hose. In these embodiments, the tube 110 may be a flexiblematerial, such as rubber, plastic, or the like. Additionally, ininstances where the tube may be flexible, the valve assembly 116 mayextend downwards along a length of the tube to help support the tube andmaintain its orientation.

Additionally, although the tube 110 is illustrated as beingsubstantially straight, it should be noted that other configurations areenvisioned.

The sprayer collar 116 provides an attachment mechanism for one or morenozzles or sprayers. For example, the drop nozzle 106 may include aspray tip 115 or nozzle that connects to sprayer collar 116 to furtherdirect the liquid as it exits the drop nozzle 106. In some embodiments,the spray tip 115 may be configured to vary a flow rate and/or pressurefrom the drop nozzle to control the fluid deposition on the target area.

The sprayer tip 115 may also determine the initial flow pattern as thefluid exits the drop nozzle. However, in other embodiments. The spraytip 115 may have a length, outlet aperture size, and shape based on thecrops that may be sprayed with the drop nozzle, the ground topography,and/or the liquid to be applied. Accordingly, the discussion of anyparticular spray tip 115 is meant the spray tip 115 may be omitted. Inthese embodiments, the terminal end of the tube 110 may form the outletof the drop nozzle 106 and the sprayer collar 116 may be omitted. In yetother embodiments, the sprayer collar 116 may be contoured or otherwiseshaped to act as a nozzle or sprayer for the drop nozzle 106.

The airfoil 108 reduces wind shear experienced by the drop nozzle 106and shelters the spray as it exits the drop nozzle 106. FIGS. 3A-3Cillustrate various views of the airfoil attached to the tube. FIG. 4 isan enlarged cross-section view of the drop nozzle taken along line 4-4in FIG. 3A. With reference to FIGS. 3A-4, the airfoil 108 is attached tothe tube 110 and extends outwards and downwards from its connectionpoint. As briefly mentioned above, in some embodiments, when connectedto the boom 104, the airfoil 108 may extend from the tube 110 towardsthe vehicle and thus may be positioned between the vehicle and theoutlet of the tube. In other words, the drop nozzle 106 may be operablyconnected to the boom 104 so that the airfoil forms a front end of thedrop nozzle 102 assembly. The position of the airfoil 108 relative tothe spray tip 115 may be varied as desired and may depend on the type ofspray tip 115 and/or length of the spray tip 115. In particular, theairfoil 108 may be moved upwards or downwards on the tube 110 toaccommodate different spray tips 115. For example, a bottom of theairfoil 108 may be positioned ¼″ to 2″ above the spray tip 115. However,in other embodiments, the airfoil may be positioned further above orcloser to the spray tip.

As generally discussed above, the airfoil may direct air flow to createa desired spray deposition. In some instances, the airfoil may exert aforce on the air stream flowing around the drop nozzle, causing the airsteam to be deflected downward, creating a flow region that is moreco-directional with the spray sheet of liquid as it exits the sprayertip 115 than the ambient air steam and may be more quiescent than theflow behind than a blunt object or component.

The airfoil 108 may be integrally formed with the tube 110 (e.g.,through injection molding, machining, or the like), or may be a separatecomponent attached thereto. In embodiments where the airfoil 108 may beseparate from the tube 110, the airfoil 108 may be removable andinterchangeable. For example, a number of different airfoils havingdifferent dimensions or shapes may be connected to the tube 110. Thisallows the drop nozzle to be used with a variety of different types ofcrops and group topography. The airfoil 108 may generally be positionedon a bottom half to the tube 110 and typically towards the bottomquarter of the tube 110. As an example, the airfoil 108 may bepositioned closer towards the terminal end of the drop nozzle 106 thanto the proximal end.

In one embodiment, the airfoil 108 may include two halves 120, 122 orshells that connect to each other and around the tube 110. FIGS. 5A and5B are perspective views of one of the halves 120, 122. Each of thehalves 120, 122 may be substantially similar and so the discussion ofthe first half 120 is meant to encompass the features of the second half122, which may be a mirror image thereof. Each of the halves 120, 122may include a bracket 138 including a curved wall 136. The curved wall136 defines a tube recess 148 to receive a portion of the tube 110. Thebrackets 138 for each half 120, 122 of the airfoil 108 meet halfwayaround the tube 110 to surround at least a portion of the tube. A flange142 extends from the curved wall 136 away from the tube 110.

With reference to FIGS. 3A-5B, a fin 126 extends downwards and outwardfrom the curved wall 136 of the bracket 138. The fin 126 is angled awayfrom the tube 110 and terminates at a tip 124. The fin 126 may have afront side 134 (see FIG. 3B) and a back side 132. The back side 132 mayextend from a bottom portion of the curved wall 136 substantiallyparallel to the front side 134, but at an inflection point 146 mayextend downwards substantially parallel with the tube 110.

A shield 128 may form a bottom surface of the airfoil 108. The shield128 may have a larger width than the backside 132 of the fin 126. Theshield 128 may extend outwards from its attachment to the bottom of thefin 126 and may angle outwards and slightly downwards from the tip 124.In this manner, the shield 128 may form a substantially triangularplatform that is angled from the trip 124 downwards towards the sprayercollar 116. It should be noted that in these embodiments, the bottomsurface of the fin 126 may also be angled, such that the tip 124 may behigher than a back end 144 of the fin 126. Typically the shield 128 mayhave a width at its largest portion that may be selected toapproximately match the width of a spray sheet of fluid as it exits thesprayer tip 115 or may be larger than the spray sheet, e.g., 2 to 3times as large as the desired or expected spray sheet width.

At the backend 144 of the fin 126, the shield 128 may transition to forman air guide 130 or ramp. The air guide 130 curves outward and downwardsfrom the backend 144. In some embodiments, the air guide 130 may have anangle of curvature ranging between 0 to 30 degrees and in some instancesthe curvature of the air guide 130 may range between 0.1 to 1.2 timesthe length of the fin 126. The air guide 130 directs air downwardstowards the outlet of the tube and the sprayer, as will be discussed inmore detail below. upwards and over across the shield.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the airfoil 108 is operably connected tothe tube 110 by placing the curved walls 136 of the brackets 138 foreach half 120, 122 around the tube 110. In other words, the tube 110 maybe received in the tube recess 148 defined by the curved walls 136. Theflange 142 portions of each of the brackets 138 may then be fastenedtogether (e.g., through welding, adhesive, or the like). The brackets138 may be securely connected to the tube 110 and support the fin 126and other portions of the airfoil 108 on the tube 110. It should benoted that although the airfoil 108 is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-4 asincluding two separate components that are attached to the tube 110, insome embodiments, the airfoil 108 may include a single component thatconnects to the tube 110 or the airfoil may be integrally formed withthe tube (e.g., through die cast machining, injection molding, or thelike).

The valve assembly 112 will now be discussed in more detail. FIGS. 6-7are various enlarged perspective views of the drop nozzle illustratingthe valve assembly. FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the drop nozzletaken along line 8-8 in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of thedrop nozzle taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 7. The valve assembly 112 isoperably connected to a top end of the tube 110 and may connect the tube110 to the attachment collar 114. For example, a coupling member 149 maybe threadingly connected to the valve assembly 112 and the attachmentcollar 114. The coupling member 149 may define a flow pathway 180therethrough to fluidly connect the drop nozzle to the reservoir.Additionally, the valve assembly 112 may be received onto a top end 164or inlet of the tube 110. As will be discussed in more detail below, thevalve assembly 112 may actuate a valve to prevent or reduce fluid flowin instances where the spray tip 115 or the tube 110 is broken off ofthe drop nozzle assembly.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the valve assembly 112 may include avalve housing 150, a base 158, two arm members 152, 154, and a hingeassembly 162, each of the preceding components will be discussed indetail below. It should be noted that the valve assembly and housing maybe implemented in a variety of different manners and the description ofany particular embodiment is meant as illustrative only.

The valve housing 150 houses a shutoff valve 160. The valve housing 150connects to the coupler 148 and forms a top portion of the valveassembly 112. FIG. 10A is a top elevation view of the valve housing 150.FIG. 10B is a cross-section view of the valve housing taken along line10B-10B in FIG. 10A. With reference to FIGS. 9-10B, the valve housing150 may include a valve arm 186 that extends upwards from a roof 184 ofthe housing 150. The roof 184 defines a plurality of fastening apertures190. The fastening apertures 190 may receive one or more fasteners (notshown) to connect the valve housing 150 to the base 158 and/or arms 152,154.

The valve arm 186 is generally cylindrical and defines a receivingaperture 188 that connects to the coupler 148, as well as a ball cavity172. The valve arm 186 defines a fluid passage therethrough. The fluidpassage varies in diameter as it extends through the valve arm 186. Withreference to FIGS. 9 and 10B, a seat 176 and a second seat 178 aredefined on either end of the ball cavity 172. The seats 176, 178 have areduced diameter as compared to the ball cavity 172 and form a seatingportion for the shutoff valve 160, as will be discussed in more detailbelow. The valve arm 186 further defines a spring cavity 174 incommunication with the ball cavity 172 and a spring groove 182.

An interior of the roof 184 may define a fluid recess 192. The fluidrecess 192 is in communication with the cavities and fluid passagewaysdefined in the valve arm 186. The fluid recess 192 interacts with thebase 158 to define a fluid passageway, discussed in more detail below.

The base 158 will now be discussed in more detail. FIG. 11A is a topperspective view of the base 158. FIG. 11B is a bottom perspective viewof the base 158. With reference to FIGS. 9, 11A, and 11B, the base 158connects with the valve housing 150 to form an intermediate portion ofthe valve assembly 112. The base 158 may generally conform to the shapeof the valve housing 150 and may attach to a bottom surface of thehousing 150.

The base 158 may include a fluid channel 204, which as shown in FIG. 9,interacts with the fluid recess 192 in the valve housing 150 to define afluid passageway 166 through the valve assembly 112. Referring to FIGS.11A and 11B, the base 158 may further define two fluid apertures 200,202. The fluid apertures 200, 202 may be defined on opposing ends of thefluid recess 192. The first fluid apertures 200 may be in fluidcommunication with the first arm 152 and the second fluid aperture maybe in fluid communication with the second arm 154.

The base 158 may further include a plurality of fastening apertures 198.The fastening apertures 198 may be aligned with the fastening apertures190 on the valve housing 190, such that a plurality of fasteners mayextend through the fastening apertures 190 in the valve housing 150through the fastening apertures 198 in the base 158.

With reference to FIG. 11B, the base 158 may include two hinge supports206, 208. The hinge supports 206, 208 extend from a bottom surface ofthe base 158 and define support structures for the hinge assembly 162,discussed in more detail below. Each of the hinge supports 206, 208 mayinclude a pin support defining pin apertures 216, 218 therethrough and astop portion 210, 212 including an engagement surface 214, 215. Theengagement surface 214, 215 may engage an end surface of a hub,discussed in more detail below. The engagement surface 214, 215 of eachof the hinge supports 206, 208 may be a relatively planar surfaceextending vertically downwards from the bottom of the base 158.

The arms 152, 154 will now be discussed in more detail. FIG. 12 is aperspective view of one arm of the valve assembly. It should be notedthat each of the arms 152, 154 may be substantially the same and so thediscussion of one arm may be applied to the other arm. With reference toFIGS. 9 and 12, each of the arms 152, 154 may form a fluid flow branchfor the valve assembly 112. The arms 152, 154 may have a branch body 224defining a branch pathway 228 therethrough, the branch pathway 228 beingin fluid communication with the pathway 166 defined by the valve housing150 and the base 158.

A connection flange 220 extends from a top end of the branch body 224.The connection flange 220 defines a plurality of fastening apertures 226therethrough. A lip 230 extends around a bottom portion of the branchbody 224 with a bottom end 234 of the branch body 224 extending past thelip 230. An annular groove 232 is defined around the bottom end 234 andmay be configured to receive an O-ring or other sealing member.

The shutoff valve 160 will now be discussed in more detail. FIG. 13 isan enlarged view of the cross-section of FIG. 9 illustrating the shutoffvalve. With reference to FIGS. 9 and 13, the shutoff valve 160 mayinclude a ball 168 or sealing member and a biasing member 170 or spring.The ball 168 may be supported within the ball cavity 172 by the biasingmember 170. The biasing member 170, which may be a coil spring, exerts abiasing force against the ball 168 pushing the ball 168 towards theupper seat 178.

The ball 168 has a diameter configured to allow fluid to flow around theball 168 when the ball 168 is within the ball cavity 172 (i.e., adiameter smaller than a diameter of the ball cavity), but may besufficiently large to seal against the upper seat 178 and/or the lowerseat 176 to prevent fluid into or out of the ball cavity 172. Actuationof the ball will be discussed in more detail below, but generally theball may be forced by an increased fluid flow or fluid pressure into thelower seat 176, sealing the outlet to the ball cavity.

One or more coils or flexible elements of the biasing member 170 may bereceived into the spring groove 182 defined in the valve housing 150.The spring groove 182 secures the biasing member 170 to the valvehousing 150. The operation of the shutoff valve 160 will be discussed inmore detail below. Briefly, the shutoff valve 160 may restrict orprevent flow entering into the drop nozzle 106 by selectively varyingfluid flow entering and/or exiting the ball cavity 172.

The hinge assembly 162 will now be discussed in more detail. FIG. 14A isa top perspective view of the drop nozzle with certain components hiddenfor clarity. FIG. 14B is an enlarged elevation view of the drop nozzle.With reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B, the hinge assembly 162 allows thetube 110 to rotate relative to the valve housing 150. The hinge assembly162 may include a hub 156, a return member 240, and retaining pins 251,253.

The return member 240 may be a spring or other biasing member. In someembodiments, the return member 240 may be a torrid or coil spring. Thereturn member 240 may include hooks 246 on either end. The hooks 246 maybe used to secure the return member 240 to the drop nozzle 106 and willbe discussed in more detail below.

The hub 156 may be rotatably connected to each of the arms 152, 154.FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the hub. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectionview of the hub taken along line 16-16 in FIG. 15. With reference toFIGS. 15 and 16, the hub 156 may include a main body 260 and a tubecoupler 262 extending vertically from the main body 260. The main body260 may define a central aperture longitudinally therethrough. Thecentral aperture 258 may be in fluid communication with the arms 152,154. A hub aperture 264 may be defined through the tube coupler 262 andmay be in fluid communication with the central aperture 258. In someembodiments, fluid may flow through the central aperture 258 in a firstdirection and change directions to flow through the hub aperture 264 ina direction that is substantially perpendicular to the flow directionwithin the central aperture 258.

The main body 260 may further include two hinge supports 242, 244extending from a top surface. The hinge supports 242, 244 may besubstantially similar to the hinge supports formed on the base 158. Forexample, each of the hinge supports 242, 244 may include a pin aperture248 defined therethrough and a stop portion 250, 252. Each of the stopportions 250, 252 may define an engagement surface 254, 256. Theengagement surfaces 254, 256 may be configured to engage thecorresponding engagement surfaces 214, 215 of the hinge supports of thebase 158, as will be discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the drop nozzle 106 with one of thearms hidden for clarity. With reference to FIGS. 8, 14A, and 17, a firstretaining pin 251 may be received into the pin apertures 216 defined onthe hinge supports 206, 208 on the base 158 and a second pin 253 may bereceived through the pin apertures 248 defined through the hingesupports 242, 244 on the hub 156. The hooks 246 of the return member 240may be received around each of the retaining pins 251, 253 and thereturn member 240 may extend along the outer surface of the hub 156between the two sets of hinge supports 206, 208 and 242, 244. In a firstposition, the engagement surfaces 214, 215, 254, 256 of the respectivestops 210, 212, 250, 252, may engage one another along their verticalsurfaces. The position of the stops may determine the angle that the hub156 extends from the base 158 and because the tube 110 is connected tothe hub 156, may also determine the angle that the tube 110 extends fromthe base 158.

Operation of the drop nozzle 102 will now be discussed in more detail.With reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3A, the attachment collar 114connects the drop nozzle 106 to the boom 104 and fluidly connects thedrop nozzle 106 to the reservoir 102. The sprayer vehicle 100 may begintraveling along a terrain including a plurality of crops, fields, orother plants. The reservoir 102 may include a pump or other distributionmechanism that may then provide fluid (such as insecticide, herbicide,water, or the like) at a predetermined flow rate to the drop nozzle 106.The flow rate may be selected by the pump and also the sprayer tip 115connected to the drop nozzle. The flow raw may be constant, variable, orotherwise selected by a user. As the vehicle 100 pulls the boom 104across the terrain, the drop nozzle 106 may experience wind forces dueto the movement of the drop nozzle 106 and weather forces. Due to thecurved shape of the air guide 130, air may be directed downwards towardsthe sprayer 115, exerting a force on the spray exiting from the spraytip 115 downwards towards the target area. For example, air may flowover the length of the shield and be directed over the curved air guide130 downwards (see FIG. 3A).

As the air travels around the airfoil it is directed downward, carryingwith it the droplets of the fluid exiting the tube 110 and sprayer tip115. The air flow directs droplets that in conventional drop nozzles maybe carried off-target by irregular air movement, (such as air flow dueto the travel of the sprayer vehicle across the field or a crosswind);however, with the airfoil, the drop nozzle of the present disclosurehelps to direct the spray toward the target. For example, as describedabove, the airfoil may create an air wake that prevents turbulent flowat the fluid sheet, allowing the fluid to break into droplets in asubstantially quiescent (e.g., airflow dead zone) location.

While the vehicle 100 is pulling the drop nozzle 106 fluid is travelingform the reservoir 102 into the drop nozzle 106. For example, withreference to FIGS. 2A, 8 and 9, fluid may enter into the fluid pathway180 of the coupling 149 and then may flow around the ball 168 into theball cavity 172. When the shutoff valve 160 is open, fluid flows intothe fluid passageway 166 defined by the base 158 and valve housing 150and then into each of the passageways 228 defined in the arms 152, 154.From the arms 152, 154, the fluid flows into the central aperture 258and the hub aperture 264 defined in the hub 156. The fluid then travelsthrough the flow pathway 118 in the tube 110 towards the outlet and thesprayer collar 116. The fluid may then exit the tube 110 through thespray tip 115 onto the terrain or may exit through a nozzle or sprayer.

The hinge assembly 162 operates to allow the drop nozzle 106 toencounter one or more objects, such as hills or changes in topography ofthe terrain, plants, or the like, without being damaged. In other words,the hinge 162 allows the drop nozzle 106 to deflect when encounteringthe object, reducing the risk of damage to the drop nozzle 106 or othercomponents of the sprayer 100. With reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B, ifthe tube 110, the airfoil 108 or other components of the drop nozzle 106encounter an object as the drop nozzle 106 is pulled by the vehicle 100,the tube 110 may swing upwards (e.g., in rotation direction R1) due tothe force. Rather than breaking off of the attachment point to the boom104, the hub 156 allows the tube 110 to rotate relative to the valveassembly 112 and the coupler 149. This may prevent both the sprayer tip115 and the tube 110 from breaking off of the valve assembly or theboom.

With reference to FIGS. 17, 18A, and 18B, in some instances, the impactforce on the spray tip 115 and/or tube 110 may cause the hub 156 torotate, causing the return member 240 to expand. Because the hub 156 andthe tube 110 are interconnected, the rotation of the hub 156 will alsocause the tube 110 to rotate. As the tube 110 and hub 156 rotate, thereturn member 240 may expand or stretch, allowing the rotationalmovement.

Once the impact force has been removed, the return member 240 (alongwith a gravitational force) may act on the tube 110 to return the tube110 to its original position. In other words, the return member 240 mayrotate the hub 156 and the tube 110 in a second rotation direction R2.The return member 240 after being expanded due to the impact force mayretract, causing the hub to rotate accordingly.

The stop portions 210, 212, 250, 252 on the hinge supports for the base158 and the hub 156, respectively, may limit the rotation of the hub 156in the second rotation direction R2. For example, once the return member240 has rotated the hub 156 in the second rotation direction R2, theengagement surfaces 214, 215, 254, 256 may engage, preventing furtherrotation in the second rotation direction R2. In other words, the returnmember 240 may act to return the hub and the tube to their originalorientations after they have been rotated by an impact force.

Activation of the shutoff valve will now be discussed in more detail.FIGS. 9 and 13 illustrate the shutoff valve in the open position. FIG.19 is a cross-section view of the valve assembly with the shutoff valvein the closed or off position. As briefly described above, the sprayertip 115 may regulate the fluid flow as it exits the tube 110; however,the line pressure from the reservoir to the valve assembly may bedetermined by a pump fluidly connected to the reservoir. In instanceswhere either the sprayer tip 115 and/or the tube 110 encounters anobject and breaks off, the flow rate exiting the tube 110 may no longerbe restricted. In other words, the flow rate restriction typicallycaused by the sprayer tip 115 (e.g., due to a restricted orifice oraperture) may be eliminated, causing an increase in flow rate from thereservoir into the ball cavity. However, the fluid pressure may remainsubstantially constant as it may be determined by the pump or otherelement.

As the flow rate exiting the drop nozzle is no longer restricted, thefluid flow rate through the drop nozzle increases. This flow rateincrease exerts a down force on the ball 168, compressing the biasingmember 170 and forcing the ball into the lower seat 176. As discussedabove, the ball 168 may have a sufficiently large diameter that whenseated in the seat 176, may substantially seal the outlet to the ballcavity, thereby sealing the tube 110 or the valve assembly.

The drop nozzle 106 as disclosed herein may provide for lower sprayheights and boom heights, even in rough terrain. For example, typicallyagricultural sprayers may travel at speeds between 10 to 20 mph. Onhilly or rough terrain, the height of the boom is typically raised toabout 36 to 48 inches above the crop or solid. The raised height mayallow the sprayer vehicle to travel faster. However these higher heightshave increased spray drift and may not be as effective in spraying thecrops.

With the drop nozzle 106, the boom heights may be lowered and the sprayheight (even over hilly terrain) may be about 18 to 24 inches. Thereduced spray height may provide for more accurate fluid distribution,as well as reduced spray drift once the fluid exits the drop nozzle. Thelower spray heights are possible, because the drop nozzle 106 may rotateif it encounters an object, preventing it from breaking off. In otherwords, the flexibly of the drop nozzle allows for the lower sprayheights. Additionally, the drop nozzle may include the shutoff valve forinstances where it may be broken off. The shutoff valve may preventspillage of fluid from the reservoir, which may reduce the risk for abroken nozzle and thus allows for lower drop heights. Moreover, theairfoil may further help to direct fluid from the tube towards thetarget area, further reducing spray drift. In some instances, the dropnozzle may reduce drift potential by two to three times as compared toconventional drop nozzle designs (e.g., a reduction in spray drift ofapproximately 50% as compared to conventional drop nozzle designs).

Table 1 below illustrates experimental data comparing a conventionalnozzle system with the drop nozzle 106. In the experiment for Table 1,the airfoil was omitted and the drop nozzle tested included the hingeassembly and valve assembly, which as described above allows the dropnozzle to be positioned closer to the target area with a reduced risk ofbreaking or damaging the drop nozzle. As shown in Table 1, the dropnozzle improves drift or off-target movement of a fluid or treatment ascompared to conventional nozzle systems.

TABLE 1 Spray Tip - XR 11002 Nozzle Type Treatment Off-Target MovementConventional RoundUp 21.3 feet Nozzle PowerMax_Class Act NG Drop Nozzle106 RoundUp  6.7 feet PowerMax_Class Act NG

In Table 1, both the conventional nozzle system and the drop nozzle 106used the same spray tip, XR 11002 by TEEJET nozzles, which may emit agenerally flat spray pattern. Additionally, both the conventional nozzlesystem and the drop nozzle 106 used the same treatment fluid, in thiscase RoundUp PowerMax. As shown in Table 1, using the same boom height,the off-target movement for the drop nozzle 106 reduced off-targetmovement by a factor of 10.

As another example, Table 2 below illustrates experimental datacomparing the conventional nozzle system with the drop nozzle 106, usinga different spray tip as compared to the data in Table 1. Similarly tothe experiment performed in Table 1, the drop nozzle used did notinclude the airfoil, but included the hinge assembly and the valveassembly.

TABLE 2 Spray Tip - AIXR 11002 Nozzle Type Treatment Off-Target MovementConventional RoundUp 4.7 feet Nozzle PowerMax_Class Act NG Drop Nozzle106 RoundUp 0.8 feet PowerMax_Class Act NG

As shown in Table 2, both systems used the same spray time, again byTEEJET, but the spray tip including air induction to further reducedrift. Accordingly, as shown in Table 2, the drift was reduced for boththe conventional nozzle system and the drop nozzle 106 as compared toTable 1. However, the drop nozzle 102 again reduced drift significantlyas compared to the conventional nozzle system.

It should be noted that Tables 1 and 2 illustrate experimental data andalthough certain spray tips were used with the drop nozzle 106, otherspray tips may be used. Additionally, although a select treatment wasused to obtain the results illustrated in Tables 1 and 2, many otherfluids may be used with the drop nozzle.

CONCLUSION

Although the present disclosure has been described with a certain degreeof particularity, it is understood the disclosure has been made by wayof example, and changes in detail or structure may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the disclosure as defined in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An airfoil for a fluid delivery tube comprising:a securing member for operably connecting the airfoil to the tube; a finextending downward and outward from the securing member and terminatingin a tip; a shield extending inward and downward from the tip of thefin; and an air guide extending from a first end of the shield.
 2. Theairfoil of claim 1, wherein the shield defines a bottom surface of theairfoil and has a width larger than a width of the fin.
 3. The airfoilof claim 2, wherein the shield defines a substantially triangular shapedplatform angled from the tip downward towards the tube.
 4. The airfoilof claim 1, wherein the securing member is securable at substantiallyany location along a length of the tube.
 5. The airfoil of claim 1,wherein the securing member comprises a first bracket and a secondbracket configured to secure around an outer surface of the tube.
 6. Theairfoil of claim 1, wherein the airfoil comprises a first shell; and asecond shell connected to the first shell.
 7. The airfoil of claim 6,wherein the first shell and the second shell are symmetrical.
 8. Theairfoil of claim 1, wherein the air guide curves downward from the firstend of the shield.
 9. The airfoil of claim 8, wherein the air guide hasan angle of curvature between 0 to 30 degrees relative to the first endof the shield.
 10. An airfoil for use with a drop nozzle, comprising: abracket configured to be connected to the drop nozzle; a substantiallytriangularly shaped fin extending outward and angled downward from thebracket; and a shield connected to the fin and arranged substantiallyperpendicularly to the fin to define a substantially planar surfaceintersecting with a bottom edge of the fin.
 11. The airfoil of claim 10,wherein the bracket is configured to connect at various locations alonga length of the drop nozzle.
 12. The airfoil of claim 11, wherein thebracket is positioned on the drop nozzle such that the shield ispositioned at or less than 2 inches from an outlet of the drop nozzle.13. The airfoil of claim 10, wherein the airfoil further comprises acurved ramp extending from a first end of the shield.
 14. The airfoil ofclaim 10, wherein the shield has a width larger than a width of the fin.15. The airfoil of claim 14, wherein the width of the shieldapproximately matches a width of a spray sheet of fluid as the fluidexits the drop nozzle.
 16. A valve assembly for a fluid delivery tubecomprising: a valve housing in fluid communication with the fluiddelivery tube; a hub rotatably connected to the valve housing andconfigured to be secured to the fluid delivery tube and movabletherewith; and a return member connected to the hub and the valvehousing, wherein in a first position of the hub and valve housing, thereturn member is configured to flex, and in a second position in whichthe hub and valve housing are rotated relative to one another, thereturn member is configured to exert a return force on the hub and thedelivery tube to return the delivery tube to the first position.
 17. Thevalve assembly of claim 16, further comprising a shutoff valve housedwithin the valve housing positioned between a fluid inlet and a fluidoutlet of the valve housing, wherein when fluid pressure of fluidentering into the fluid inlet exceeds a predetermined value, the shutoffvalve seals the fluid outlet of the valve housing.
 18. The valveassembly of claim 17, wherein the shutoff valve comprises: a sealingmember; and a biasing member, wherein when fluid pressure of the fluidexceeds the predetermined value, the sealing member compresses thebiasing member to seal the fluid outlet of the valve housing.
 19. Thevalve assembly of claim 16, wherein the hub further comprises one ormore stop members to limit a rotation of the fluid delivery tube in afirst direction.
 20. The valve assembly of claim 19, wherein the one ormore stop members engage with one or more stop members on the valvehousing.